Dare to Listen

Dwight Lewis, due to be ordained this summer, is an amazing thinker, singer and speaker. His passion and commitment are contagious. He ruffles feathers, stirs up your heart, makes you cry and laugh all at once. I was quite reluctant to go to his talks (because sometimes you just want to stay comfortable and not be disturbed) but I am grateful I did. I may not be the same person after this Lenten retreat, but isn't that the point of it? To change. And change for the better.

Here is a link to his talks (March 7-10). Dare to listen.

A Lenten Retreat

When we were children growing up in India, there were very few Christians we knew (they are less than 1% of the population) but Lent was a biggie. We'd always ask each other what we were giving up. In my circle of friends it ranged from giving up meat (but we were vegetarian so it didn't matter to me) to being nice to a younger sibling, or helping more with chores, etc. I remember feeling indignant because what's there to give up when you're already not eating well and have too many chores? I remember fasting on Fridays along with my mother. She didn't want us to because we were stick-thin and our usual meal was a thin lentil soup with rice. To this day, I make my lentil soup thin because that's the way I like it. In Indian restaurants, I find the soup too rich. But I digress.

I remember how hard it was. My stomach was noisy and if someone offered me a sandwich or chapati, I ate it. And I would be ashamed because the Muslim girls would fast from sun-up to sun-down during Ramadan and wouldn't even take a sip of water. I admired them, but was never able to hold out like they did. I prayed that God would make me strong. He did.

I tell you this because for Lent, I need to be strong again. I want to give up one of my excesses -- spending too much time on the net, blogging and reading other people's blogs, visiting the Blueboard, and reading newsy bits. It will be hard for me because I enjoy it far too much. Like fasting, this is an exercise in discipline. I see so many areas in my life I need to improve, but I can start with this one thing. I can imagine spending that lost hour (those 10 minute chunks add up) praying, reading, writing, visiting a sick friend, or finishing a project with my kids.

So, know that I will miss you all, that I may even fail miserably. I hope you will encourage and help me if I do. I will not be ashamed like I was as a child, but forgive myself and begin anew with greater resolve. I will take it one day at a time. I have another day of excess -- Mardi Gras, which translates to Fat Tuesday. When we were living in Europe, it was a huge celebration, but I didn't see anyone penitent the day after. Strange. But I digress again. See what I mean about this busy brain of mine. In any case, come Ash Wednesday, I'll retreat and be quiet. I know from experience that God tends to whisper when my mind is still.

I'll leave you with this:

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10).
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

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I love you and you are mine

For Valentine's Day, give me five minutes and listen to this duet. It's a beautiful hymn written and composed by David Haas. I must obtain sheet music for this. The chorus is:

Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine.

Swoon.

To love is to belong ... to Christ Jesus.
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Why Dogs Beg

Want to know why dogs beg? Mine does and no wonder. There are always tasty bits under my daughter's chair. But I digress. I do ... and the answer is in the grand prize winning entry in the March issue of Children's Writer authored by none other than my dear friend Bish, who's been regaling us with stories from the Virgin Islands on her blog. Boy, that's a long sentence. I can breathe now.

I've had the pleasure of reading her collection of Anansi stories, which my kids loved too, and I hope that one day it will be a book. Don't believe me? Jane Yolen said so, too.

Congratulations, Bish!

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Dominican Republic Supports Life

Imagine how we got to this point. In one generation, we’ve gone from abortion being unthinkable to the majority of civilized society, to the defense of human life being a controversial issue. So writes Sheila Liaugminas. Read the rest of the article here.

What is legal is not necessarily moral. Slavery was legal. In fact, the wording for defending slavery is similar to the right to have an abortion.

I believe that just as slavery was abolished, that one day abortion will be abolished as well. We need to work towards strengthening the family, and teaching our children to save sexual relations for marriage. Promiscuity has taken a terrible toll on our babies.
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The Golden Mean

I am in the middle of my novel. I know the things that need to happen, but instead of plowing through it, I'm wallowing in it (and rather enjoying all the things I'm discovering). I have a feeling that most of it will end up on the cutting floor, as it should. But why do I have to wade through the morass to get to the good stuff? I don't know. The process baffles me. I know my story. I don't know why I can't just write the important scenes first time round. Wah!

I'm going to keep writing because it is a first draft and there is so much to learn, but when I revise, I'll be keeping Molly's Golden Advice in mind. And if you're curious, head on over there to check it out. It's good. It's logical. And it is the Golden Rule that is built into our psyches.

Thanks, Molly.

And for those of you who were looking for the Golden Rule, here it is from the Gospel: So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12).
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On love

Today's readings were beautiful and in particular, the second reading (1 Corinthians 13:1-13), which is often spoken at weddings and as you know I have a wedding on my mind.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
It is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.
.
.
.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
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But I was surprised to learn that this verse is often spoken at funerals as well. And now it makes sense because God is love. Perfect love. His love for us will never fail. And if you substitute the word God every time the passage refers to love, it becomes startingly clear that God is infinitely patient, merciful and loving ...

It was an emotional Sunday for me as I pondered these verses. It makes me want to abandon myself to Him, and yet ... the ego is still too strong. I keep coming back to the beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit ...

So, which quality of love is the most difficult to express for you?
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Bylines Calendar

This is not my office; it is a picture of Will Rogers' desk (a replica), gracing the cover of the 2010 Bylines Calendar in which I have an entry.

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I love it already. It has a place for my goals, things to do, and even things I've not thought of, which I should do! There's a place to keep track of writing income and expenses, and a list of helpful books and resources. But best of all, every week, there is a little story to read and I already feel as though I'm making new writing friends through this calendar.

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If you want a copy, order yours here or here. I know it's almost the end of January, but you have eleven more months to go. Buy it for yourself or as a gift for a writer-friend.

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At a time when I don't have many acceptances (my own fault for not submitting) it is again a reminder how lovely it is to work on a short piece and see it in print. And now I have a writing calendar to track my progress on the Great American Novel, which I will finish this year.

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March for Life

Roe v Wade (January 22, 1973). I learned about this historic decision to legalize abortion in high school. Having come from a poor country, I knew how difficult life can be for those destitute. Why bring another unwanted child into the world? Yet, the idea of killing a baby inside the womb was chilling. For years, I felt that even though I personally wouldn't have an abortion, I couldn't tell another woman not to have one. She should have the freedom of choice. However, once I had my own babies, I changed my views ... abortion should be outlawed.

The article here explains very clearly the role of law.

This Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, thousands will march to mourn the historic decision that has allowed so much death.

For those who need help and healing, please go here. I know five dear women who grieve silently for their babies, who regret their abortion, and how I wish I'd had the courage back then to say, "I will help you take care of your baby" instead of saying, "I will support whatever choice you make." We are all culpable for this culture of death.

Let us pray to end abortion.

For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

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Happy

My dear friend Bish is passing on the happy meme.

When I was in India, my mother had a book called "Happiness is a Habit." I never read it so I don't know if the link I've made is the correct one but the title always stuck with me because it resonates. Happiness is a habit. When one has a grateful heart, just being alive makes one happy.

Let me list a few things that bring happiness in my life:

1. Walking with my kids and dog to school.
2. Snuggling up with my husband to watch a good movie.
3. Reading.
4. Writing. Fast-flowing pens, sharpened pencils.
5. Cooking. And eating.
6. Cuddling with the kitties.
7. Reading and writing letters. Being connected with family and friends.
8. Sitting in church, listening to the Word.
9. Our home.
10. All of nature, but especially the sunshine.

As you can see, these are all so very simple things, but they bring me great joy every day, even on gray and cloudy days.

Be well. Be happy. And let me know what makes you happy. If you follow my blog, I'll be checking your blogs in the next few days.
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